Nigerian music stars Wizkid, Tems, Burna Boy, and Asake have been nominated for the 2026 BET Awards. The nominations were announced on Tuesday ahead of the ceremony scheduled for Sunday, June 28, 2026, in Los Angeles, United States.
Nomination Highlights
Wizkid and Asake earned a joint nomination in the Best Group category following their recent collaboration and strong global presence. Tems secured three nominations: Best Female R&B/Pop Artist, the BET Her Award for her song First, and the Viewers' Choice Award for Raindance, her collaboration with British rapper Dave. Burna Boy was nominated in the Best Collaboration category for WGFT with American rapper Gunna.
Nigerian Presence at BET Awards
Nigerian artists have consistently performed well at the BET Awards. Wizkid remains one of Africa's most celebrated winners, while Burna Boy has also achieved major wins in international categories. Other Nigerian stars who have won or been recognized include Davido, Tems, 2Baba, D'banj, and Ice Prince. In 2025, Ayra Starr won the Best International Act category.
Nigerian talent also featured in acting categories: Ayo Edebiri and Cynthia Erivo were nominated for Best Actress, while Damson Idris earned a Best Actor nomination.
Full List of Selected Categories
Best Female R&B/Pop Artist
- Ari Lennox
- Coco Jones
- Ella Mai
- Jill Scott
- Kehlani
- Mariah the Scientist
- Olivia Dean
- SZA
- Tems
Best Male R&B/Pop Artist
- Brent Faiyaz
- Bruno Mars
- Bryson Tiller
- Chris Brown
- Durand Bernarr
- Giveon
- Leon Thomas
- October London
- Usher
Best Group
- 41
- Clipse
- De La Soul
- FLO
- French Montana & Max B
- Metro Boomin & DJ Spinz
- Nas & DJ Premier
- Terrace Martin & Kenyon Dixon
- Wizkid & Asake
Best Collaboration
- "Chains & Whips" — Clipse ft. Kendrick Lamar
- "Errtime Remix" — Cardi B ft. Jeezy & Latto
- "Go Girl" — Summer Walker ft. Latto & Doja Cat
- "Good Flirts" — Baby Keem ft. Kendrick Lamar & Momo Boyd
- "Is It a Crime" — Mariah the Scientist & Kali Uchis
- "It Depends (The Remix)" — Chris Brown ft. Bryson Tiller & Usher
- "Take Me Thru Dere" — Metro Boomin ft. Quavo, Breskii, YK Niece & DJ Spinz
- "WGFT" — Gunna ft. Burna Boy
Best Male Hip Hop Artist
- A$AP Rocky
- Baby Keem
- BigXthaPlug
- DaBaby
- Don Toliver
- Drake
- J. Cole
- Kendrick Lamar
- T.I.
Best Female Hip Hop Artist
- Cardi B
- Coi Leray
- Doechii
- Doja Cat
- GloRilla
- Latto
- Megan Thee Stallion
- Monaleo
- YK Niece
Video of the Year
- "100" — Ella Mai
- "Anxiety" — Doechii
- "Burning Blue" — Mariah the Scientist
- "Chanel" — Tyla
- "Escape Room (Short Film)" — Teyana Taylor
- "Folded" — Kehlani
- "Let 'Em Know" — T.I.
- "Luther" — Kendrick Lamar & SZA
Video Director of the Year
- A$AP Rocky & Dan Streit
- Anderson .Paak
- Benny Boom
- Cactus Jack
- Cardi B & Patientce Foster
- Cole Bennett
- Director X
- Hype Williams
- Teyana "Spike-Tey" Taylor
Best New Artist
- Belly Gang Kushington
- Destin Conrad
- Jaydonkwn
- Miles Minnick
- Monaleo
- Olivia Dean
- RAYE
- Trap Dickey
Album of the Year
- Am I the Drama? — Cardi B
- Don't Tap the Glass — Tyler, the Creator
- Everything Is a Lot. — Wale
- Hearts Sold Separately — Mariah the Scientist
- Let God Sort Em Out — Clipse
- Mutt Deluxe: Heel — Leon Thomas
- The Fall-Off — J. Cole
- The Romantic — Bruno Mars
Best Actress
- Angela Bassett
- Ayo Edebiri
- Chase Infiniti
- Coco Jones
- Cynthia Erivo
- Keke Palmer
- Quinta Brunson
- Regina Hall
- Teyana Taylor
Best Actor
- Aaron Pierre
- Aldis Hodge
- Anthony Mackie
- Colman Domingo
- Damson Idris
- Delroy Lindo
- Denzel Washington
- Michael B. Jordan
- Sterling K. Brown
YoungStars Award
- Daria Johns
- Graceyn "Gracie" Hollingsworth
- Heiress Harris
- Jazzy's World TV
- Lela Hoffmeister
- North West
- Thaddeus J. Mixson
- VanVan
Best Movie
- Highest 2 Lowest
- Him
- Number One on the Call Sheet
- One Battle After Another
- Relationship Goals
- Ruth & Boaz
- Sinners
- Wicked: For Good
Sportswoman of the Year
- A'ja Wilson
- Angel Reese
- Claressa Shields
- Coco Gauff
- Flau'jae Johnson
- Gabby Thomas
- Jordan Chiles
- Naomi Osaka
- Sha'Carri Richardson
Sportsman of the Year
- Aaron Judge
- Anthony Edwards
- Caleb Williams
- Jalen Brunson
- Jalen Hurts
- LeBron James
- Shedeur Sanders
- Stephen Curry
BET Her Award
- "Already Good (Tasha Slide)" — Tasha Cobbs Leonard
- "Be Great" — Jill Scott ft. Trombone Shorty
- "Beautiful People" — Jill Scott
- "First" — Tems
- "Girl, Get Up." — Doechii ft. SZA
- "Go Girl" — Summer Walker ft. Latto & Doja Cat
- "Gorgeous" — Doja Cat
- "Lady Lady" — Olivia Dean
Fashion Vanguard Award
- A$AP Rocky
- Bad Bunny
- Beyoncé
- Cardi B
- Colman Domingo
- Doechii
- Rihanna
- Teyana Taylor
- Zendaya
Pulse Award (Podcast/Media)
- 85 South Show
- Baby, This Is Keke Palmer
- Charlamagne Tha God
- Don Lemon
- Druski
- It Is What It Is
- Joe and Jada
- On The Radar
- R&B Money Podcast
By Musa Adekunle, Guardian Life
